Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs

[C Moon]

Source: ABC News

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.

Apple released two security reports about the issue on Wednesday, although they didn’t receive wide attention outside of tech publications.

Apple’s explanation of the vulnerability means a hacker could get “full admin access" to the device. That would allow intruders to impersonate the device's owner and subsequently run any software in their name, said Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/apple-warns-security-flaw-iphones-ipads-macs-88567869

[mucifer]

1. Thanks for posting BUT You left out a very important paragraph:

Security experts have advised users to update affected devices — the iPhone6S and later models; several models of the iPad, including the 5th generation and later, all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 2; and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey. The flaw also affects some iPod models.

[Martin68]

26. I was waiting for that shoe to drop, the most important part of the announcement. I just received an

update.

[Montauk6]

34. An UPDATE, ya say?

Don't mind if I do. Thanks for the tip (downloading now).

[speak easy]

2. Why should Windows get call the fun?

[Deuxcents]

3. I'm no techie but..what can be done to protect these devices?

Did I miss the instructions?

[mucifer]

5. download the updates

[Deuxcents]

6. That's it? I did an update earlier this evening. Thank you.

[Deuce]

39. Yep, 15.6.1 for iPhone & IPad...

[C Moon]

7. I believe it's iPhone 6, and several iPads and Macs on certain OS. They have updates now.

It would show up in your Settings area as a red exclamation point.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

24. I have an iPhone 6...

... and am on iOS 12.5.5 and it says, "your software is up to date". An app or two cannot be updated because it is, "too old", ha. Works fine, looks as new as the day I got back when iPhone 6 was the latest version. I have never had any security issues with it, using Lookout and updates when I get the red dot.

I qualify for a new iPhone from my provider, waiting for the snail mail letter from them; post office returned it because they did not add my PO Box number, so I will see what they offer.

PS: I do not use any Facebook/Meta apps on my iPhone nor games, it is a PHONE.

[summer_in_TX]

25. All iPhones since and including the iPhone 6S need to update.

I have an iPhone 11 and did so about 3 days ago and don't see a newer update available, so maybe I'm caught up.

[C Moon]

29. Okay. Thanks. Sorry about the misinformation.

[yardwork]

40. Every iPhone received the update. I installed it immediately.

[OAITW r.2.0]

4. Fact of life. Be smart and take basic precautions

Don't mindlessly click links
Use strong passwords

[unc70]

13. Nothing protects except updating - Apple AND Google

You do not need to do anything to trigger either the Apple or Google exploits. Don't wait; update.

[ZonkerHarris]

8. downloading the update on our iphones now. Thank you!

[Hekate]

9. I always do the updates, so fingers crossed

Have forwarded this to Mister Hekate, who is my tech support

[usonian]

10. Code is not audited before release to the public.

None of it. With one exception.

Only OpenBSD operating system is. Paranoid folks ought to run it on computers, and some compatible laptops.

https://www.openbsd.org/index.html

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenBSD

Details on request. I just wanted to point out that there is one operating system that is designed by security freaks rather than marketing folks pushing "features" out the door, or as we say "throwing software over a wall", ready or not.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

12. OpenBSD causes daemons.

[usonian]

16. And puffer fish.

More than you ever wanted to know about computing daemons here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_(computing)

[BumRushDaShow]

18. Then consider

[ItsjustMe]

11. From 11 Months Ago

Devastating "NUCLEAR-TIER" Apple Exploit Found

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10965543

[unc70]

14. "Google, Apple squash exploitable browser bugs"

From The Register:

https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/17/google_chrome_bug/

Whatever hardware and software you are using, update now!

[NCjack]

15. Just downloaded and installed MacOS 12.5.1. Thanks for warning.

[usonian]

17. The digital divide makes updates tough for some.

This applies to regular consumers. First, these 2Gb plus updates, every one, it seems, are brutal on people with cellular internet, a la mi-fi, where each one is a significant piece of the data quota. And the only way to stop an ios device from downloading updates is to never leave it charging with data turned on. Or to fill up memory.

Older devices just don't get security updates.

Try dragging an imac into the library to use high speed internet.

You have to be really clever to download system updaters on macs so that one dmg can be used to update multiple systems. So the gigabytes are repeatedly downloaded. Apple used to offer thumb drives with installers, but it's easier to assume that everyone has high speed internet with unlimited data caps.

How digital "infrastructure" gets improved is still an open question in many areas, and industry self-policing has a sordid history.

Just saying. I "upgraded" from cellular to DSL (!) and pay $25 or more a month for a landline phone I have no use for, but the same internet costs more without the unwanted landline phone.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

27. The size of the update was 132.6 MB for me. It took about a minute to download.

I am now in the "Preparing Update..." stage.

First, these 2Gb plus updates, every one, it seems, are brutal on people with cellular internet, a la mi-fi, where each one is a significant piece of the data quota.

[usonian]

28. I was being general, and including those MacOS updates.

One said it would take a day to download, and that’s with decent wired internet.

Since I was on cellular internet for a while, there are lots of these to catch up with.

Thanks anyway, the two newest devices updated expeditiously, with no bricking.

(Did I forget to back up? No, the older macOS won’t back up the latest iOS, and I refuse to use iCloud backup, because Apple has an encryption key to iCloud backups and hands them over to “authorities” via a portal, right. Nothing could possibly go wrong.)

Hence the need for MacOS updates, the gigantic ones.

[Maraya1969]

19. I did the update and now my phone is blank except for a url

I can't get the damn thing to restart. The button looks like it is stuck!

Fuck !

[C Moon]

30. Wow. WTH?

[usonian]

31. Hopefully it comes back.

I remember desperately pushing combinations of buttons yesterday or the day before when the device looked bricked. It came back. Just took a very long time.

Good luck. 🍀 I want to say make backups before updating, but my posts in this thread say why I don’t. Yet. (Macs need upgrades in order to back up the lastest IOS versions and I don’t use iCloud backups for privacy reasons)

[FakeNoose]

20. Maybe Apple wants to sell a lot of new phones?

It might be easier to get a new phone than trying to constantly update the older ones.
In other words: planned obsolescence.

[PJMcK]

22. BS

All electronic devices can be hacked.

Updates and simple safety precautions protect all digital users.

Do you think that Android and PC makers don't want to sell new equipment?

Your bias against Apple is illogical.

[LudwigPastorius]

33. "It might be easier to get a new phone than trying to constantly update the older ones."

It's not easier.

Updating an old iPhone requires that you do absolutely nothing.

[usonian]

36. My iPhone 8 got bricked for the most part. A few apps still work

Trying to restore from an earlier backup.

Doesn’t look like it’s working.

[LudwigPastorius]

37. Mines an 8 too.

Update installed last night.

No problems so far.

[yardwork]

41. Apple released a free update yesterday. Took a minute.

[mitch96]

21. One of my conspiracy believing friends thinks this is a way for the "Gov't" to install "malware"

on apple phones b/c... well all "libs" own iPhones.....right?
Where the hell does he get this shit. He is a long time friend and we have a lot in common... but not politics..
The blessing is we don't talk politics, sports or religion... All else is fair game..
m

[PJMcK]

23. Apple represents 10% of the personal computer market

Yeah, that's the liberal left.

Bullshit.

[mitch96]

35. I just roll my eyes and change the subject when he goes full nutjob/tinfoil hat...nt

[Wild blueberry]

32. Thank you

Updating mine now.
a non-techy

[DFW]

38. Maybe they'll have better luck than I am having

Every time I want to even make a simple phone call with the thing, I get the impression that it comes back and asks me first, “yeah, man, but what’s my motivation?”